Preview FlowerTrials #2

At the FlowerTrials 2018, no less than 60 breeding companies will present their newest varieties in pot- and bedding plants, as well as the latest innovations and concepts. At 32 locations, spread across three regions (Aalsmeer and the Westland region in the Netherlands, and Rhineland-Westfalen in Germany), the event will take place from June 12-15 and can be visited daily from 08:00 till 18:00 (Friday till 16:00).

Leading up to the event, we will present a highlight of each participating company in a series of five articles. This second edition will focus on the following 18 of the participating companies in the Aalsmeer region: Danziger, Benary, ABZ Seeds, Agriom, Cohen, De Zonnebloem Jonge Planten, Evanthia, Floranova, Floricultura, Florist Holland, Gruppo Padana, Hassinger Orchideen, Hem Genetics, HilverdaKooij, Hishtil, Horteve breeding, Jaldety and Koppe.

Visitors to Danziger’s 2018 FlowerTrials Display will find more retail solutions with a more international approach. Next to the Amore Petunia series, which is about to get further enhancement this upcoming season, uncovering significant retail potential, they will also showcase two main products lines, the Timeless Bidens collection and a brand new, large flowered, compact habit Calibrachoa series, named Lia. In the Bidens collection, that offers a wide range from the traditional and classic varieties such as the Blazing Glory, to strong colors, such as Pretty in Pink. The collection is split into “types” of Bidens according to different uses and characteristics. The collection also features one outstanding variety; Golden Empire. This variety has a tall plant structure and a different flower shape, uncommon in Bidens. “We nicknamed it – "Is this Bidens?!"- because this is the most frequent reaction we receive from customers when they see it. Golden Empire’s appearance is so unique and attractive that people sometimes think it is a different crop,” says Ori Danziger, Deputy CEO Danziger.

As you stroll along Benary’s “New Variety Alley” at FlowerTrials 2018 you can explore 5 new series, many new colour additions and product relaunches which are available to the market again since April 2018. One of the new series that will be on display is the Platycodon grandiflorus F1 Pop Star – Benary’s new Pop Star from seed. The new Platycodon series Pop Star from Benary is available in three clear colours: Blue, Pink and White. According to Benary, Pop Star is the best branching Platycodon on the market and performs a most uniform plant habit. "It is fast and easy to grow." Its narrow flowering window supports easy sale in a very short time. Pop Star loves sunny to half shady places and is flowering from June to August.
As a winter-hardy perennial in most regions Pop Star looks great in natural gardens as well as in a modern garden setting. Pop Star can also be used as an indoor plant. 

ABZ Seeds is a Dutch breeding company dedicated to the development of F1-hybrid strawberries, propagated by seed. One of the varieties that they will showcase at the FlowerTrials is Summer Breeze Pink: a strawberry rose in soft pink flower colour. "Strawberry Summer Breeze Pink is a new approach in ornamental strawberries. The rose-like double flowers in soft pink are real eye-catchers. This double type of flowers keep their colour for a considerable longer period than the single types. The combination of abundant colour and fresh summer fruit will give consumers the fine feeling of a summer breeze!"

Agriom cooperates in joint-venture companies, each of which excels in a specific crop. Mandevilla Summerstar Agriom and partners are actively breeding several horticulture crops. "Mandevilla Breeders Association (MBA) represents a breeding concept with only top class Mandevilla varieties. Selected by premium growers that only settle for the very best." New is Mandevilla Summerstar series. Very early and abundant flowering, lasting till the end of the season. Available in three striking colours: white, pink and red. "The perfect choice for patio, garden and balcony."

Cohen Propagation Nurseries is a family business, specialized in producing unrooted cuttings of bedding and basket plants for export. New for 2018-2019 is Nemesia Honey Bicolor Light Pink. It is part of the Nemesia series bred by Breier in Israel, exclusively Cohen. The range consists of 25 varieties with new color combinations and they are known for their compact growth habits, good branching and upright habits.

De Zonnebloem Jonge Planten BV is specialized in the propagation and breeding of terrace plants. Mandevilla Bloom Bells Yellow is a new addition. It is an early flowering plant and has big, dark yellow flowers which remain on the plant for a long time. "It's a striking and unique addition to this series which was only available as red and pink cultivars until now."

Evanthia is a big player in the pot sunflower market with two AGM award-winning Sunsation varieties. Flame, a bicolour variant that is also part of the Sunsation series, is relatively unknown in Western Europe but extremely popular in South America. "The bicolour pattern on this pollen-free flower is distinctively recognisable. This variety, with its very regular flower markings and attractive dark green leaf colour is a true stunner! With its compact growth and short cultivation period, Sunsation Flame is ideal for commercial production." The growing habit of Flame is the same as of its sister variety Sunsation Yellow.

Floranova is a specialised breeder of flower seed varieties for the professional bedding and pot plant sector. F1 Vinca Blockbuster is Floranova’s latest breeding and it has focused on flower size. According to Florabova, this exciting new series of 10 colours brings all of the attributes you would expect from Floranova Vinca, but with huge flowers. Blockbuster has a compact, well branched habit as seen with Vitesse, but with much larger flowers that maintain their well rounded form. The flowers are capable of reaching 5.5-6 cm, even in extreme conditions. The colour intensity of Blockbuster is much greater, even in full sun conditions.

Floricultura - Phalaenopsis 'Lady Luck'
Floricultura specialises in breeding, selection and propagation of orchids and Lady Luck is one of their latest introductions. It is a deep purple colour and at least three spikes that also branch well. "This combination of characteristics results in a sea of at least forty flowers – quite unique in this colour group."

A newcomer this year is Gruppo Padana. This Italian family company that is specialized in young plants production will have several plants on display and one of them is their own bred Primrose Primula Primabella. This plant is available in two lines; Primula, early with large flowers and Primabella XL early or mid-early with giant flowers. The plants have bright colored flowers and are round and uniform, in both habit and flowering window. 

Hassinger Orchideen is a family owned business from Germany that looks back 30 years of orchid breeding. Bellavallia is one of their many varieties and has won by its compelling flower characteristics and its aesthetic growth some prizes. Available under this brand name are many Masdevallia Hybrids and natural varieties, which get nicely merchandised. Take a step forward and broaden your production plan with lines like this.

Hem Genetics breeds, develops and markets both seed- and vegetatively raised ornamental pot and bedding plant varieties. The Supra varieties Crimson, White, Salmon, Red, Purple and the new Pink are the result of interspecific Dianthus crossing. These compact, well-branched plants are hardy, flower early and also perform well at high temperatures. A varied range of outdoor trials worldwide have produced outstanding results, demonstrating that Supra Pink, in particular, excels in extremely hot conditions. As a result, this year it won the prestigious All America Selection Award (AAS), previously also awarded to Supra Purple.

HilverdaKooij breeds and propagates various varieties of pot plants and cut flowers. HilverdaKooij has excelled in producing varieties of Dianthus, Limonium and Alstroemeria for many years. Summer Paradise Summer Red is a garden alstroemeria with bright red flowers with a yellow heart. It is a perennial with firm and straight stems and flowers from May until the end of October

Funtastick Calibrachoa is a high stem, grafted, ornamental Calibrachoa. This plant is created by grafting herbaceous ornamental Calibrachoa having a short height and bushy growth habit on a rootstock containing high-single stem.

Horteve Breeding is specialized in the breeding of Hydrangea for the production of indoor pot plants, garden shrubs and cut flowers (in cooperation with Kolster B.V.). The center of attention this year, is not the novelties, but the know-how and experience in the area of propagation and production. One sister company of Horteve Breeding, Hortensia France Production (HFP), is 100% specialized in the growing of forcing plants of hydrangeas. Another sister company is specialized in the multiplication of these varieties producing in a 180 hole tray, 104 hole tray and a 35 hole tray.

Jaldety Propagation Nurseries are a family-owned business producing and supplying a colorful range of niche perennials and annual cuttings. One of their novelties that they will be showcasing at the FlowerTrials is Crassula deceptor Stone Age Silver, according to Jaldety, a unique succulent and evergreen low growing dense texture plant, with silver-gray foliage and interesting shape, easy to grow, low maintenance, deer resistant, drought and salt tolerance. "Ideal for rock gardens, low borders, along walkways, miniature gardens, coastal gardens, patio containers and combinations with other succulents."

Koppe is a begonia breeder and the assortment consists of indoor as well as outdoor flowering and foliage begonias. What new innovations has Koppe, the Begonia Specialist, to show you this year? In addition to 4 new launches, they will have 5 new indoor varieties to show. One of the novelties that they will be presenting is the new BeLove line that thrives both indoors and outdoors, with big blossoms and short growth time.